If you are a responsible person fighting with periodontal disease, chances are you have been wondering: is periodontal disease contagious? The short answer is yes. However, it is not as simple as a flu. There are conditions or a periodontal disease to be contagious. Let’s get to the details.

What is a periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is an inflammation or infection of the gums. It is a serious condition that needs to be addressed or things can get pretty bad. Periodontal disease can lead to periodontitis, gingivitis or other serious issues. We have a whole other article on what periodontitis disease is. You can read that by clicking here. Gingivitis is also an extreme kind of periodontitis. You can learn about their differences by reading this article. 

Is Periodontal Disease Contagious?

So is periodontal disease contagious? The unfortunate answer is a “Yes”. However it is not like flu where the virus can spread around with a cough or sneeze. While it is not classified as a “contagious” disease in the same way viral or bacterial infections are, the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can be transmitted between individuals under certain circumstances.It is also not contagious through sexual intercourse like many other illnesses. If not these then how is periodontal disease contagious?

Generally speaking, periodontal disease is contagious through long-term exchanges of saliva. Things like using mutual spoons or other culinary tools, drinking from the same cup as someone with periodontal issues and even kissing are just a few ways one can get periodontal disease from another.

Let’s take a deeper look at some common ways periodontal disease can spread.

Sharing Toothbrushes

Sharing toothbrushes is probably the most obvious way periodontal or any other oral disease can spread. Toothbrushes are contaminated with the oral fluids from their owners. This means that if one person uses the toothbrush of the other even once, chances are they will be contaminated with any oral disease the brush owner is suffering with.

Sharing Drinks

Sharing drinks is also another common way that periodontal disease spread from one person to another. Using a straw or drinking straight from a cup, the drink is most likely contaminated!

Mother-to-Child Transmission

Mother-to-child transmission of periodontal bacteria is a significant concern, particularly because young children have immature immune systems that are not yet fully equipped to defend against harmful bacteria. This makes them more vulnerable to bacterial colonization, which can lead to future oral health problems, including early childhood caries (tooth decay) and even gum disease later in life. The transmission of bacteria from mother to child typically occurs through everyday interactions that involve the exchange of saliva. These seemingly innocent practices can inadvertently introduce harmful bacteria into the child’s oral cavity, setting the stage for potential dental issues.

One common way bacteria are transmitted is through the practice of cleaning pacifiers with the mouth. Many parents naturally “clean” a dropped pacifier by sucking on it before giving it back to their child. While this may seem like a harmless gesture, it can transfer saliva containing periodontal bacteria from the parent’s mouth to the child’s. If the mother has active periodontal disease or poor oral hygiene, the bacteria present in her saliva can colonize the child’s oral cavity.

You can read more on this here.

Cross Contamination in Dental Offices

While dental offices are generally safe environments, there is a small but significant risk of cross-contamination if proper sterilization protocols are not strictly followed. Cross-contamination refers to the transfer of harmful microorganisms, including periodontal bacteria, from one patient to another through improperly sterilized instruments or contaminated surfaces. In rare cases, this can lead to the transmission of periodontal disease or other infections between patients. This is why dental offices must adhere to rigorous sterilization and infection control protocols to ensure the safety of all patients.

Dental instruments, such as scalers, probes, and drills, come into direct contact with saliva, blood, and oral tissues during procedures. If these instruments are not properly sterilized between patients, they can harbor harmful bacteria, including those associated with periodontal disease, such as Prohormones and gingivitis. Even microscopic traces of saliva or blood left on an instrument can contain enough bacteria to infect the next patient.

For example, if a patient with advanced periodontal disease undergoes a cleaning or surgery, the bacteria present in their oral cavity can remain on the instruments if they are not thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. When these same instruments are used on another patient without proper sterilization, the bacteria can be transmitted, potentially leading to the development of gum disease in the new patient.

Cross-contamination can also occur through indirect means, such as contaminated surfaces or equipment in the dental office. Dentists and hygienists frequently touch various surfaces, such as light handles, chair controls, and countertops, during procedures. If these surfaces are not disinfected regularly, they can become reservoirs for bacteria. Additionally, aerosols generated by high-speed dental drills or ultrasonic scalers can spread bacteria-laden droplets into the air. These droplets can settle on nearby surfaces or even be inhaled by patients or staff, creating another potential route for bacterial transmission. While modern dental offices are equipped with suction systems and air purifiers to minimize this risk, lapses in cleaning protocols can still result in cross-contamination.

This is why it is very crucial to choose a safe dental clinic such Aria Dental to make sure you stay clear of any cross-contamination issues.

Preventing The Spread of Periodontal Disease

Preventing periodontal disease is not a difficult thing to do. If you are suffering from a periodontal disease, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. If you need help or are unsure whether you have periodontal disease, book a consultation session right now to have Dr. Horiayt visits you and evaluates your condition. 

If you know someone who is suffering from periodontal disease or want to just steer clear of any possible contaminations, make sure you use your own toothbrush and not drink or eat with mutual utensils.